On the way to Xiao's Mansion, we 'accidentally met' the carriage of Prince Han's Mansion. We said hello across the carriage and went together.
Bai Cao couldn't help teasing Bai Ling, but because Bai Wei was in a bad mood, she didn't dare to make too much noise.
When they arrived at the Xiao Mansion, Shangguan Yu wanted to go to the front yard, while the Bai Ling sisters were led to the backyard by the maid.
The Xiao family is worthy of being a wealthy family, and Xiao Mu is just the young master, so the house is full of guests, including many princes who come to congratulate them.
"I have been waiting for you to come. Come with me quickly. Today I will introduce you to some of my good sisters in the capital. In the future, we will get together more often when we have time, and we will get to know each other." Xiao Muqing came after receiving the letter.
Waiting outside the yard, I saw Bai Ling and others welcoming me enthusiastically.
"Okay." Baicao is the eldest sister, so she naturally wants to answer the question.
Bai Ling smiled and said nothing, while Bai Wei gave Xiao Muqing a complicated look.
When she was in Nanshan Village, Bai Wei initially felt that she did not dare to climb up to a young lady like Xiao Muqing, and always stayed away from her.
Later, when we got to know each other, we forgot her identity, and we had fun together.
But now...
Just looking at Xiao Muqing's perfect smile, Bai Wei felt that the distance between the two was so big that she could never bridge it.
There is a world of difference between an aristocratic family and a peasant family.
Xiao Muqing's target was Bai Ling. She said a few words to Baicao Shang because of her status, but said hello to Bai Wei lightly without any sign of intimacy.
"Which one is Princess Jixiang? The twins look alike, so I really can't tell them apart." A pretty woman appeared next to Xiao Muqing, looking at Bai Ling and Bai Ling with her big, smart eyes.
Bai Wei looked very curious.
"Not to mention Wu Shuang, even when I was in Nanshan Village, I often went to the Bai family as a guest. If I saw one of them alone, I wouldn't be able to tell them apart." Xiao Muqing covered her mouth and smiled.
Bai Wei's face turned pale, her hands in her sleeves were clenched tightly, and for the first time, she hated her origins.
Even if it's an ordinary official's family, she still has the opportunity to pursue the man she likes, right?
Bai Cao frowned slightly, while Bai Ling remained calm.
The three sisters could all hear Xiao Muqing's seemingly affectionate words, but they were intended to remind others that their sisters were from peasant families.
"Yes! At that time, Qing'er, you were weak, but you still often accompanied us to pick vegetables in the vegetable garden. Every time we think back to that time, it makes people feel happy.
Even if I become the princess and you return to our family, Qing'er, those moments that bear witness to our friendship will not be faded away by the years." Bai Ling smiled and put his arm on Xiao Muqing's arm, saying with great nostalgia.
Xiao Muqing's smile was unnatural for a moment, and she always felt that the people around her were looking at her with disdain.
But what Bai Ling said was true, and Xiao Muqing could not refute it.
"Not to mention the past, the Bai family is now a big family in Nanshan Village, Xiaoshan has become a scholar, and the Bai family has also won several royal awards. Finally, all the hardships have come to an end." Xiao Muqing wiped the corners of her eyes with a handkerchief, and said
Looking happy for the Bai family.
"Yes, we share the same sorrow. Now everything is in the past, just like a dream." Bai Ling said with a double entendre.
Xiao Muqing forced a smile and greeted everyone into the courtyard, but she didn't want to get close to Bai Ling anymore.
All the noble ladies knew that Xiao Muqing used to live in her ancestral home, but they didn't know that she had been as wild as a girl from the countryside. For a while, they didn't know how to get along with her.
A true lady should always pay attention to her manners. Even if she goes to Zhuangzi, the best she can do is go for an outing in the wild. She will never get involved in vulgar things.
"Second sister, why did you say those things just now..." The sisters were lagging behind, and Bai Wei was a little resentful of Bai Ling's eloquence.
"Can't Third Sister see that Miss Xiao is no longer the same Qing'er who often visited our house as a guest? Today our sisters are invited guests, but she..." Baicao shook his head and said helplessly: "That's all, after all.
We have different identities, so it’s good for everyone to be aware of it. From now on, it’s enough to maintain a face-saving relationship, and we can never go back to the past."
Bai Wei pursed her lips and said nothing. Why wasn't she feeling uncomfortable?
But Xiao Muqing is Xiao Mu's sister, and embarrassing Xiao Muqing means making it difficult for Xiao Mu, and she can't bear it.
But it was not just her who was humiliated, but also her two sisters, even her younger brother who was studying, and her parents who were busy thousands of miles away. Bai Wei couldn't say anything bad about Bai Ling anymore.
The three sisters have different thoughts, and the atmosphere is a bit more tense than it was in the White House.
There was almost nothing special about the banquet held by a wealthy family. The Bai Ling sisters had no close friends, and Xiao Muqing did not take the initiative to talk to them. The other guests naturally gave them a cold shoulder.
During the banquet, the legitimate daughters of the four major families were sitting together. They seemed to be harmonious, but they also had interests to check and balance each other, and everyone else was just a foil.
"Sister, can you see the trick?" Bai Ling played with the wine glass, showing no interest in the fruit wine.
There is always an unlimited amount of fruit wine at home, and there is also some pure spirit spring water brewed in the space, which tastes much better than those sold outside.
"Is the second sister a girl from the Wu family?" Baicao has attended several gatherings, so he understands some unspoken rules.
No matter what kind of fancy gathering it is, it is all about interests, or it is similar to a blind date banquet.
"The four major aristocratic families have always fought for the right to speak and family honor. But when there is a real crisis, they will protect each other because they all know that if any aristocratic family falls, the other aristocratic families will not survive for long. Marriage will make it easier.
It is the strongest link between the four major families." Bai Ling finished speaking and glanced at Bai Wei.
Bai Wei's joints turned white, she clutched the hem of her skirt tightly, and looked towards Wu Shuang.
Bai Cao understood what Bai Ling meant, and nodded: "In this kind of boudoir gathering, people who are particularly close to each other may usually be the candidates for marriage. I just don't know whether it is a daughter from the Wu family or a daughter from the Xiao family."
Bai Wei's face turned a little pale again, her eyes fixed on Wu Shuang.
If his eyes could turn into sharp swords, Wu Shuang would be shot dead on the spot.
As if sensing the unfriendly gaze, Wu Shuang looked towards the three sisters. After finding nothing unusual, he continued chatting and laughing with Xiao Muqing.
A talent show is indispensable at a banquet.
Baicao is a married young woman, so naturally she doesn't have to appear. Bai Wei doesn't have enough status, so she won't have her turn.
Logically speaking, Bai Ling should show off her talents, but in the scene at the palace banquet, no one dared to let her go on stage, for fear that everyone's limelight would be robbed.
Xiao Muqing didn't arrange it, so Bai Ling pretended that he didn't know about this rule.
Compared with the false reputation of a talented woman, Bai Ling wants to be a wealthy woman. She has endless money to spend in this life, so she will naturally have confidence.
Bai Cao and Bai Ling looked bored. Compared to the elaborate preparations at the palace banquet, today's talent show seemed casual.
But it was the first time for Bai Wei to participate in a banquet of this size. She felt that she was not as good as others, and her confidence was completely shattered.
"Thank you for your hard work, ladies, let's play some interesting games to cheer up the fun." Xiao Muqing suggested.
"How about playing drums and passing flowers around, which will save everyone from being tired?" Wu Shuang suggested crisply.
"That's a good idea. What can I use as a title? It has to be a little lucky." Another daughter from aristocratic family said.
"Why don't we perform impromptu and get everyone's approval? Otherwise, we will have to drink three drinks as a penalty. As for the lottery, Qing'er is the host, so she won't be stingy, right?" The older girl from the aristocratic family said. (